What Tourist Finds in Hotel Bathroom Leaves Internet Stunned: 'Please Help'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A traveler turned to the internet for help identifying a puzzling item they encountered during their hotel stay.
The Redditor, u/Dante1776, shared an image of a curious metal contraption mounted next to the toilet, asking fellow users in the subreddit r/whatisthisthing to help crack the case.
"Found in hotel bathroom. Looks like bottle opener but it's mounted right next to the toilet," they wrote. "Staff said it was already there when they got the job... please help!"
The post quickly took off, garnering more than 14,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments as Reddit sleuths debated the object's purpose.
Some took a humorous approach, whilst acknowledging it was a bottle opener.
"For drinking while doing other things," one user joked.
"Seriously, I guess some people haven't discovered the simple joy of shower beers yet?" another chimed in.
"Best place to drink them. I'm sober now and drinking a shower Mountain Dew Zero just isn't the same," someone added.
Others offered theories as to why the common kitchen item was placed in the bathroom.
"Hotels add bottle openers near features where people will try to open bottles like that ledge. It's to prevent damage. They're usually in the bathroom where there is a hard surface counter," explained one commenter.
Another user offered a tongue-in-cheek theory: "It's so you can shake up a Coca-Cola and use it as a bidet. /s In all seriousness, I can't imagine it being anything other than a bottle opener. Very weird spot for it though."
Eventually, Redditor u/ProudPaddedPro offered a well-informed explanation that seemed to settle the matter.
"So it's a bottle opener and I can explain why it is where it is," they wrote.
According to them, around 15–20 years ago, even budget hotels began installing tile and granite in their bathrooms for a more upscale, durable look. However, maintenance teams soon noticed a surprising issue: guests were cracking tiles by using the countertop edges to open bottles.
Rather than constantly replacing damaged tiles, hotels opted for a cheaper fix. By mounting a $1 bottle opener in the bathroom, they could prevent costly repairs caused by guests popping bottle caps on fragile surfaces.
The explanation wasn't just a theory—u/ProudPaddedPro said it came directly from a senior vice president of capital planning at a major discount hotel chain.
Reddit users were fascinated by the strange-but-smart hospitality hack, with one even inspired to turn it into a trivia question.
A stock image showing a hotel bathroom.
A stock image showing a hotel bathroom.
rilueda/iStock / Getty Images Plus
"I run trivia at least once a week. I wonder how I could phrase it as a question?" they mused.
Another user had the perfect suggestion: "What common kitchen gadget is frequently installed in hotel bathrooms to prevent damage to countertops?"
Newsweek reached out to u/Dante1776 for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work and your story could be featured on WSID at Newsweek.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
Is Feminism Losing With Young Men? Large Majority Say Men Should Be on Top
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Young men are rejecting the ideals of feminism, according to a new report from the Movember Institute of Men's Health. In a survey of more than 3,000 men aged 16 to 25, the vast majority held beliefs centered around traditional gender roles. Roughly 77 percent said men should hold leadership positions, and 83 percent agreed that men should be providers, sparking questions about how men and women will continue to build relationships with each other in the modern age. Why It Matters While traditional gender roles have been the standard for years, more women are outpacing men when it comes to higher education, and economic necessity is no longer driving marriages. In 1995, young men and women were equally likely to hold a bachelor's degree at 25 percent each, according to Pew Research. As of last year, however, 47 percent of U.S. women ages 25 to 34 have a bachelor's degree, while only 37 percent of men did. These shifting dynamics have raised questions about the roles of men and women in the workforce, as well as in their homes and relationships, but young men appear to be holding onto traditional values despite falling behind economically. A 14-year-old boy looks at a iPhone screen on May 26, 2025 in Penzance, England. A 14-year-old boy looks at a iPhone screen on May 26, 2025 in Penzance, To Know The majority of young men believe men should be the ones in leadership positions and acting as providers, but they also have concerns over men displaying emotions. Roughly 77 percent in the survey said men who can't control their emotions are a threat to others, and 61 percent believed men should solve problems alone. However, all of these beliefs were much more common among young men who follow male influencers than among non-followers. The relationship between young men and feminism has shifted notably in recent years, with evidence suggesting increasing skepticism and ambivalence among Gen Z males. Researchers and educators have observed a pronounced gender divide on issues of equality and identity, reflecting broader social trends and political polarization. Surveys indicate that fewer young men today identify as feminists compared to young women and previous generations of men. Underlying this divide are perceptions that the advancements of feminism have not resolved, or may even have exacerbated, the challenges faced by boys and young men. Roughly 60 percent of all young men in the U.S. engage with mainstream masculinity influencers and content, which potentially leads to warped ideas of men and women and their own roles when it comes to masculinity. The "manosphere" notably includes social media influencers who often promote anti-feminist and misogynistic rhetoric. These communities can draw in young men who feel alienated or marginalized, providing them with a sense of identity and validation for grievances centered around romantic rejection, economic difficulty, and social isolation. Social media algorithms have amplified the reach of these spaces, making exposure to extreme ideological content more frequent and forming a part of young men's digital environments. Other polling from the Survey Center on American Life shows just 43 percent of Gen Z men identify as feminists compared to 61 percent of Gen Z women. This divide is compounded by the fact that nearly half of Gen Z men now say they face discrimination for being male, up significantly from previous years. In the Movember survey, young men, many of whom followed these types of male influencers, had high rates of worthlessness (26 percent), nervousness (27 percent) and sadness (27 percent). They were also likely to have negative views toward women, with 70 percent saying women "have it easier" than men and roughly 50 percent saying feminism is used to "keep men down." Repeating a typical manosphere influencer rhetoric, 31 percent of young men in the U.S. said, "High-value men get more matches." "This is a wake-up call," said Dr. Zac Seidler, Global Director of Men's Health Research at Movember, in the report. "We can't ignore the role online content plays in shaping how young men see themselves, others, and the world. They deserve to be part of the solution—not just the subject of the debate." What People Are Saying Brian Heilman, Senior Research Fellow at Movember, said in the report: "Young men are telling us they want clear, approachable conversations about what it means to be a man today. We need to have the courage to meet them where they are, engage in those conversations, and help them build healthy and sociable aspirations for their lives." Hallie Kritsas, a licensed mental health counselor with Thriveworks, told Newsweek: "Young men are rejecting feminism because of confusion, fear, and how they may feel threatened due to cultural implications if women want partnership versus something like patriarchy. Further, men are told both explicitly and subtly that being vulnerable or feminine makes them weak or less masculine. This can all lead to things like anxiety, depression, and relationship issues." What Happens Next The polarization around feminism and the growing influence of online anti-feminist circles have had tangible effects on relationships, political alignment, and discourse within schools and universities. "If men continue to reject this equality, we can assume that there will be more division," Kritsas said. "The hope is that men continue to lean into things like therapy and emotionally balanced relationships. And that we can normalize emotional depth and equality within relationships."
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Scared Blind Cat 'Cried for Help' From Owner—Thanks Her in the Sweetest Way
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An owner helping her blind cat off the windowsill was left speechless after receiving the sweetest thank-you in return. In a May 8 video posted by TikTok user @littlehammyham, an owner's blind cat walked back and forth on the windowsill. Unaware of how big the jump down was and what waited underneath, the feline became scared. She did not want to take the leap of faith, and instead, "cried for help," waiting for her owner to come to the rescue. The owner approached, reached out her hand for the cat to sniff, and proceeded to pick her up, placing her safely on the ground. The feline paused for a moment as she processed her surroundings, and, before going on her way, she sniffed out her owner and turned to her. The cat stretched her front paws onto the owner's leg, a gesture Newsweek previously reported is a sign your cat truly loves you. Plus, she lifted her head up toward her owner, driving home the message she was appreciative of the help. This was her version of a hug, her special way to say thank-you to the owner for helping her down from the window. Newsweek reached out to @littlehammyham via TikTok for additional information and comment. While the gesture warmed the owner's heart, it wasn't long before the cat returned to the same spot. It was the start of the cycle for attention. The video caption reads: "She jumped right back up there and cried for help again." Viewer Reactions The TikTok video reached over 2.1 million views, more than 537,000 likes and nearly 1,200 comments as of Thursday. The cat's precious thank-you touched people's hearts, bringing them to tears. "To be loved by a cat is the sweetest thing in this world," wrote a viewer. Another pointed out: "The way she knew you from your scent." A third person said: "Her tail immediately going up when she heard you get close." Someone suggested: "Needs a ramp or ladder to get up and down. What happens if it at work?" The owner responded that, luckily, she works from home. She added: " … she knows how to get down, she just likes to be needy sometimes." Screenshots from a May 8 TikTok video of a blind cat sweetly thanking her owner for helping her off the windowsill. Screenshots from a May 8 TikTok video of a blind cat sweetly thanking her owner for helping her off the windowsill. @littlehammyham/TikTok Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
List of Plane Crashes With Sole Survivor After Ahmedabad Air India Disaster
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An Air India crash in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12 has added a tragic chapter to aviation history. The flight, en route to the United Kingdom, was departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport when it crashed during takeoff. Air India confirmed that the flight was involved in "an accident today after take-off," adding that 242 passengers and crew members were on board. Local media outlets indicate that there is one survivor, a 40-year-old British national named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. This rare occurrence, where a single person walks away from a large-scale aviation disaster, has happened before but remains statistically extraordinary. The tail of the airplane is seen stuck in a building at the site of an airplane that crashed in India's city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state on June 12, 2025. The tail of the airplane is seen stuck in a building at the site of an airplane that crashed in India's city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state on June 12, 2025. AP/Ajit Solanki Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash: What We Know Flight AI171 was bound for London Gatwick Airport. But the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner collided with a medical college dorm in the suburb of the Indian city of Ahmedabad and erupted into flames. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik told the Associated Press that "some locals would have also died" since the plane hit the residential area. "Exact figures on casualties are being ascertained," Malik said. On board were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals, according to Air India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the crash was "heartbreaking beyond words." Cause of the Crash Remains Unknown The cause of the crash was not immediately known, but Air India referred to it as an accident. Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was "shocked and devastated" by the crash. "We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action," the minister wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Rescue teams have been mobilized, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families," he said. Air India's last major crash was in 2020, according to The New York Times, when a passenger plane from its subsidiary Air India Express skidded on a runway, causing 17 deaths in India. Who Was the Sole Survivor? The Hindustan Times and Sky News identified the survivor of the crash as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national. The man, who was in seat 11A on the aircraft, is now receiving treatment in a hospital. Videos appear to show him walking away from the scene of the incident. List of Plane Crashes with One Survivor According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the overall survival rate in aircraft accidents from 1983 to 2000 was 95 percent. But sole survivorship in catastrophic crashes remains an anomaly. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh joins a small group of individuals who have survived air disasters alone: Juliane Koepcke , age 17, survived the 1971 LANSA Flight 508 crash in the Amazon after falling 10,000 feet still strapped to her seat. She walked for 11 days in search of help. , age 17, survived the 1971 LANSA Flight 508 crash in the Amazon after falling 10,000 feet still strapped to her seat. She walked for 11 days in search of help. Vesna Vulović , a flight attendant, lived through a midair explosion on JAT Flight 367 in 1972. She holds the Guinness World Record for surviving the highest fall without a parachute—over 33,000 feet. She died in December 2016. , a flight attendant, lived through a midair explosion on JAT Flight 367 in 1972. She holds the Guinness World Record for surviving the highest fall without a parachute—over 33,000 feet. She died in December 2016. Cecelia Cichan , age 4, was the only survivor of Northwest Airlines Flight 255, which crashed in Michigan in August 1987. She was found buried in the wreckage and required extensive treatment for burns and fractures. Her parents, brother, and 151 others on board were killed, plus two people on the ground, per the FAA. , age 4, was the only survivor of Northwest Airlines Flight 255, which crashed in Michigan in August 1987. She was found buried in the wreckage and required extensive treatment for burns and fractures. Her parents, brother, and 151 others on board were killed, plus two people on the ground, per the FAA. Bahia Bakari , a 12-year-old girl, floated for several hours in the Indian Ocean after Yemenia Flight 626 crashed off the coast of the southern African country of Comoros in June 2009. She had no life jacket and limited swimming ability. She had no life jacket and limited swimming ability. Ruben van Assouw, a 9-year-old Dutch boy, survived the May 2010 crash of Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 bound to Libya, which killed 103 people, including his parents. Juliane Koepcke holding a copy of her autobiography in 2014. Koepcke was 17 when she became the sole survivor of a plane crash in the Peruvian rainforest. Juliane Koepcke holding a copy of her autobiography in 2014. Koepcke was 17 when she became the sole survivor of a plane crash in the Peruvian rainforest. GDA/MARTIN ACEVEDO The causes of these crashes varied from pilot error and mechanical failure to weather-related incidents and sabotage, but all left just one person alive among many fatalities. The Ahmedabad crash will now join these rare and harrowing cases, as investigators work to determine how one life was spared amid overwhelming tragedy.
